Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Introduction
Philip is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.
